Nursing container



Dec. 6, 1966 D, E. DAILEY ETAL NURSING CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet l FiledMay 18, 1959 Dec. 6, 1966 D. E. DAILEY ETAI. 3,289,874

NURSING CONTAINER Filed May 18, 1959 2 sheeNS-snef. 2

United States atent ffice 3,289,874 Patented Dec. s, ieee 3,289,874NURSING CONTAINER Donald E. Dailey and Anton F. Eilers, Evansville,Ind., assignors to Mead Johnson & Company, a corporation of' IndianaFiled May 18, 1959, Ser. No. 814,110 Claims. (Cl. 21S-11) This inventionrelates to la nursing container and more particularly to a disposable orthrow-away nursing container for infants.

The nursing container with which the invention is concerned iscollapsible so that air is not admitted as the contents are drained.Accordingly the likelihood of the infant swallowing air during feeding,believed to be a major cause `of colic, is reduced.

One feature of the invention is a provision of a nursing containerincluding a first section of formed plastic material, a second sectionof formed plastic material scale-d to the first, one lof the sectionshaving a nipple receiving opening therein, a nipple receive-d in theopening and a removable cover over the nipple. Ano-the-r feature is thatthe container surface surrounding the nipple opening has a generallyspherical configuration and the removable cover has a flange whichconforms with and overlies the surface of the container.

A further fea-ture is that the top section of the container has thenipple receiving opening therein and the bottom section is collapsibleinto the top section. The bottom section is more fiexible than the topsection to facilitate the collapse thereof.

Yet another feature is that a plurality of concentric ribs are 4formedin the `sections of the container, the ribs in the bottom sectionyguiding `and aiding collapse thereof and the ribs in the top sectionprovide an indication of the quantity of liquid in the container.

Still ya further feature is that the container is provided withsupporting means extending outwardly from the container adjacent t-heseal between the first and second sections, preferably taking the formof a tab with an open ing therein through which a finger of the user maybe extended.

And another feature is that the body member with the nipple receivingopening is provided with a re-entrant vneck surface surrounding the-opening and the nipple has a channel in which the reentrant necksurface is received, the neck surface being deformed in the channellocking the nipple and body mem-ber together. A further feature is theprovision of a locking rib on the 4body member which engages the surfaceof the nipple holding itis place.

Further features and advantages will readily be apparent Ifrom thelfollowing specification and from the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a nursing container embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation of the container with the cover removed;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged section taken generally along line 3 3 of FIGUREl;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sect-ion similar to FIGURE 3, with the nipplecover removed -and the nipple exten-ded;

FIGURE 5 is a Ifragmentary section through the nipplereceivin-g openingin the top section -of the container, without the nipple;

FIGURE 6 is a partial sectional view illustrating the progressivecollapse of the bottom section of the container into the top; and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred manner ofholding the container.

Cleaning and sterilizing bottles `and nipples and the preparation ofmilk based formulas occupy a substantial portion of the time of mothersof young infants and require considerable investment in personnel,equipment and time in the nurseries of hospitals. Disposable nursingcontainers have been proposed in the past land some have enjoyed atleast limited use. The nursing container discclosed tand claim-ed hereinis particularly designed to facilitate formula preparation with aminimum of equipment a-nd work, to provide improved nursing action andfor construction l`from inexpensive components for throw away use.

In the drawings, container 10 comprises top and bottom sections 11 and12, both preferably of a molidable, heat scalable plastic material, aspolyethylene, joined together along la central sealed surface 13. Thesealed surface 13 lmay be 4cut to `an appropriate size with a hot knife,melting or vulcanizing the material and fonming a bead 13a around theperiphery of the seal. An opening .14 in top section 11 receives anipple 15 which may be yfolded within itself d-uring ,storage andshipment, as shown in FIG. 3. A cover 16 is secured over nipple 15 toprotect it and maintain sterility, and is provi-ded with a tab 17 tofacilitate removal.

Top and bottom sections 11 and 12 of container 10 are preferably of athin Iformed plastic sheet material or the like. By plastic any suitableflexible material is intended, including rubber, synthetic plastics andthe like. The sections may be vacuum molded, thermo fonmed, cast or blowmolded, for example. Both sections have a generally sphericalconfiguration and are somewhat less than hemispherical in extent. In thespecific container illustrated in the drawings, the two sections aredefined by a central `angle of the order of l. This relationshipprovides a finished container which has a rounded configuration `and isconvenient to hold. Concentric ribs 11a and 12a are forme-d in sections11 and 12, respectively, by the molding operation. A fla-nge 18 extendsoutwardly from cover 16 overlying and conforming with the surface of topsection 11 keeping the area surro-unding the nipple receiving opening 14clean.

Referring to FIGURE 5, the configuration `of the nipple receivinglopening prior to insertion of the nipple is illustrated. An inwardlytapered neck portion 22 extends upwardly from the surface of top section11 and is separated therefrom yby an .inwardly indented rib 23.. A flatinwardly extending top surface 2li joins neck portion 22 with a`depending ree-nt-rant surface 25 which terminates in an inwardlyextending fiange 26.

Nipple 15 has a channel 28 formed therein yfor receiving certain of t-heneck surfaces `of the container. The channel 4opens outwardly from anangular wall of the nipple and is defined by a vertical inner surface29, generally horizontal top and bottom surfaces 30 and 31 and anangularly -outwardly extending outer surface 32. Nipple 15 is insertedin the upper section 11 Aof the container before the two sections aresealed together, and is preferably inserted from the inside. Uponinsertion of the nipple 15 the reentrant portion yof the neck of thecontainer seats in channel 28 with the bottom of the nipple locked aboverib 23, as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4. The top surface 24 -o-f thecontainer opening is held against the upper surface 3f) of channel 28with segment 25a of reentrant portion 25 extending `ang-ularly Iacrossthe channel from the upper inner corner to the lower outer corner, whilesegment 25b lies along the bottom surface of the channel. Flange 26extends upwardly along inner channel surface 29. The bottom ,surface 34of nipple 15 lodges above inwardly indented rib 23 aiding thecompression forces of the reentrant neck structure in holding the nipplein place. An outer peripheral rim 35 of the nipple lodges betweendeformed reentrant neck portion 25 and neck portion 22. Of course, afterthe two sections of the container are sealed together nipple 15 cannot:be removed inwardly through the opening .as it was inserte-d, and asubstantial for-ce is requi-red to pull it out through opening 14.Indented rib 23 serves a dual function in receiving a complementaryindented rib 36 formed at the :base of cover 16, FIGURE 3.

For hospital use, container is provided in collapsed form with thebottom section 12 inverted inside top section 11. Nipple is foldedwithin itself and cover 16 is in pla-ce. Preferably, the container isprovided with a powdered formula constituent during manufacture, and theformula may be completed by the addition of sterile or distilled water.The water may be added directly from a bulk container through a gravityfeed system and a manual or automatic metering device. The additivemechanism (not shown) is preferably provided with a needle or the likewhich is inserted through the cross-cut opening 37 in the end of thenipple 15, the flow of water into the container causing the bottomsection 12 -to expand to the position of FIGURE 2. In a hospital, forexample, this procedure may be set up on a mass production basis and theentire formula requirements for each feeding prepared in a short time.After filling, the cover 16 is replaced and left over the nipple untilthe container is used for feeding the infant.

At the time of feeding, lcover 16 is removed and nipple 15 is extendedto the positions of FIGURES 2, 4 and 7, as by applying pressure to thewall of the container forcing the nipple out. At the same time, any airleft in -the container during filling is expelled through the nipple sothat the infant swallows no air from the container. The nipple may alsobe extended by pulling it out, but this is not recommended for sanitaryreasons. In nursing an infant, the container is preferably held asillustrated in FIGURE 7 with the second finger inserted through opening38 in a tab 39 extending outwardly from the juncture line 13 of thecontainer sections, and preferably formed as an integral part of lthesections. The peripheral edge 40 of the two container sections isgrasped by the thumb and forefinger on one side of tab 39 and by thethird and little finger on the other side with the bottom of thecontainer resting against the palm of the hand. This is an extremelystable support for container 10 which may readily be moved toaccommodate changes in the position ofthe infant. The thin peripheralflange and light weight of the container permit the baby to hold thecontainer and feed itself at an ear-lier age than with a heavy glassnursing bottle.

If the infant requires stimulation to cause it to nurse properly, aslight pressure applied to the bottom of the container by the palm ofthe hand forces some of the formula out through the nipple into theinfants mouth. As the formula is withdrawn from the container the bottomsection 12 collapses within the upper section 11 as indicated in FIGURE6 forcing formula into the nipple keeping it fil-led. This collapsestarts at the juncture line 13 between the container sections andprogresses inwardly therefrom so that formula is not trapped betweencollapsed portions of the bottom section wall and the wall of the topsection. It is not necessary for air to enter the container as theformula is withdrawn and the cross cut nipple acts as a check valveallowing only the outward flow of formula and restricting inward flow ofair. Thus the Ilikelihood of the infant swallowing substantialquantities of air during nursing is reduced. As the container and nippleare free of air at all times during feeding, it is not necessary thatthe container be elevated above the infant, but it may be in anyposition above or below. The ribs 12a formed in the bottom section 12 ofthe container facilitate and guide the collapse of the bottom sectioninto the top section.

Several factors contribute to the progressive collapse of bottom section12 as the contents of the container are withdrawn. The bottom section ismore flexible than top section 11 so there is little or no tendency forthe top to collapse. The re-entrant nipple receiving neck structure inthe top contributes to the stiffness of the top, and the sections may beformed from materials having different physical characteristics orthickness with bottom sections 12 more flexible. Of particularimportance is the fact that bottom section 12 is formed in its invertedor collapsed position. The tendency of the bottom is to return to thisposition as the container is emptied. Furthermore, the collapsedconfiguration of ythe bottom section may be controlled with accuracy sothat it mates with the interior of the top section insuring completeemptying of the container.

If the baby does not take all of the formula in the container, theamount remaining may be measured by means of the ribs 11a formed in theupper section which are preferably so spaced that they indicate fluidounces. Before measuring is effected, the bottom-or lower section 12should be expanded to its original condition so that it does not occupyany space within top section 11. A pull tab 42 formed at the center ofthe bottom section 12 facilitates this.

A quantity of the nursing containers 10 may be packaged i-n a sterilereceptacle, as a sealed can, which is opened only when the containersare ready for use. As pointe-d out above, the containers may initiallybe provided with a powdered formula constituent, or they may be soldempty and the user can add such formula as is desired in addition to:the necessary liquid. The containers may also be prepared by themanufacturer with the complete formula 'already mixed. Although thespeciiic container described herein is intended for use in a hospital orthe like where many of them may be filled simultaneously on amass-production basis, the container may be used at home by the motherwhere the formula for each feeding is prepared as it is needed. As thenursing container is designed for only one use following which it isthrown away,l nipple 15 may be softer than the usual new nipple which isdesigned for a long period of use. This is particularly important infeeding young infants who sometimes have difficulty in manipulatingstiff nipples. The throw-away container also obviates the objections ofsome mothers that nipples found in hospitals are often gummy or stickyas a result of frequent and extensive boiling to insure sterilization.Each nipple is new and has exactly the right consistency andcharacteristics for easy nursing. The overall shape 0f the containerconforms generally with the shape of the mothers breast adding furtherinducement to the baby to nurse.

For babies who have graduated from a straight liquid diet, the containermay be used for semiliquid or liquid paste compositions as of cereal orthe like. The collapsible nature of the container permits the mother toassist feeding such compositions by gently squeezing to force thematerial into the babys mouth.

While we have shown and described certain embodiments of our invention,it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changestherefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in theappended claims.

We claim:

1. A disposable, plastic infant nursing container of the characterdescribed, comprising: a container body of plastic material having anipple receiving opening therein defined by an upstanding neck, thecontainer surface surrounding said nipple opening extending outwardlyfrom the base of said neck and having a generally sphericalconfiguration with a locking rib formed therein at the base of saidneck; a nipple received in said opening; and a removable cover having abody extending over said nipple, and having a flange of generallyspherical configuration which conforms with the surface of the containeroverlying the surface adjacent said nipple, said removable cover havingan indented rib formed therein adjacent the juncture of said ange andbody, said indented rib engaging the locking rib on the container body,forming a seal between the cover and the container.

2. In a disposable, plastic infant nursing container a nipple mountingof the character described, comprising a container including: a bodymember of sheet plastic material having a nipple receiving opening withan upstanding neck including an inwardly extending re-entrant necksurface; and a rubber nipple having a channel therein which saidreentrant neck surface is received, said nipple having a surfaceoverlying a portion of said channel with the neck having a portionextending under and engaging said nipplesurface, said reentrantcontainer neck surface extending across said channel locking the nippleand body member together.

3. In a disposable, plastic infant nursing container a nipple mountingof the character described, comprising a container including: a bodymember of sheet plastic material having an upstanding inwardly taperedneck with an inwardly extending top surface, a depending reentrantsurface, inwardly extending ange at the bottom of said dependingsurface, and an inwardly extending locking rib on the outer wall of thebody surrounding the base of said neck; and a rubber nipple having achannel therein opening outwardly in an angular side wall thereof abovethe bottom of the nipple, said channel having a generally vertical innersurface, horizontal top and bottom surfaces and an outer surfaceextending angularly outwardly and upwardly, said nipple being receivedin the opening of said container with the top surface of said neckengaging the top surface of said channel, the re-entrant neck surfaceextending diagonally across the channel and along the bottom surfacethereof, said iiange extending upwardly along the inner channel surface,and said nipple having a surface engaging the locking Vrib on said bodymember. v

4. A disposable, plastic infant nursing container of the characterdescribed, comprising: a top section of selfsustaining formed plasticsheet material having the configuration of a portion of a sphere, lessthan a hemisphere, and having centrally located thereon a nipple openingdefined by an upstanding neck with a depending reet-rant surface; anipple having a channel therein in which said reetrant neck surface isreceived, said nipple having a surface overlying a portion of saidchannel with the neck surface of the container section having a portionextending under and engaging said nipple surface, said reentrant necksurface extending across said channel locking the nipple and containersection together, said nipple having a slit therein defining a valvednursing opening; and a bottom section of formed, flexible plasticmaterial sealed to the top section and collapsible thereinto, saidbottom section being more exible than the top section and having a shapeand size substantially the same as that of the top section so that incollapsed condition it closely mates with the interior of the topsection, said bottom section retaining a position in which it is placed,whereby the bottom section readily collapses upon withdrawal of thecontainer contents, without retarding or aiding the ow of the contentstherefrom, and the contents being withdrawn without admission of air tothe container.

5. A disposable, plastic infant nursing container of the characterdescribed, comprising: a top section of self-sustaining plastic materialhaving the configuration of a portion of a sphere with a central angleof the order of and having centrally located therein a nipple receivingopening defined by an upstanding, inwardly tapered neck with. aninwardly extending top surface, a depending reentrant surface, and aninwardly extending ange at the bottom of the depending surface; a bottomsection of formed exible plastic material having the configuration of aportion of a sphere with a central angle of the order of 80 and of asize substantially the same as that of the top section, sealed to thetop section along a planar circumferential area, the sealed areaextending outwardly from the container, the bottom section being moreflexible than the top section and having a shape such that in thecollapsed condition it closely mates with the interior of the topsection, the bottom section retaining a position in which it is placed,whereby the bottom section readily collapses upon withdrawal of thecontainer contents without retarding or aiding such withdrawal; and arubber nipple having a channel therein opening outwardly in an angularside wall thereof, above the bottom of the nipple, said channel having agenerally vertical inner surface, horizontal top and bottom surfaces andan outer surface extending angularly outwardly and upwardly, said nipplebeing `received in the opening of the top section with the top surfaceof said neck underlying the top surface of the channel, the reentrantneck surface extending diagonally across the channel and along thebottom surface thereof and said flange extending upwardly alon y theinner channel surface, said nipple having a slit therein defining avalved nursing opening.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 366,942 7/1887Ernst 431-146 504,612 9/1893 Perry 222--215 554,071 2/1896 Matzen 21S-11779,749 1/1905 Tinling 21S-11 1,108,376 8/1914 Lannoye 222-215 1,307,5066/1919 Matteson 43-146 1,663,677 3/ 1928 Byerly 222-206 2,090,749 8/1937Corsi 215-11.3 2,093,730 9/1937 Kurkjian 21S-11 2,433,806 12/1947 Bardin222-206 2,446,451 8/1948 Allen 21S- 11 2,555,054 5/1951 Oliver 215-112,628,911 2/1953 Horan 215-11 2,738,107 3/ 1956 Graham 222-215 2,780,3782/1957 Romano 215-11 2,831,596 4/1958 Eyles 21S-11 2,956,702 10/ 1960Ransom 21S-11 2,989,961 6/ 1961 Blanchett.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, FRANKLIN T. GARRE'IT,

Examiners.

1. A DISPOSABLE, PLASTIC INFANT NURSING CONTAINER OF THE CHARACTERDESCRIBED, COMPRISING: A CONTAINER BODY OF PLASTIC MATERIAL HAVING ANIPPLE RECEIVING OPENING THEREIN DEFINED BY AN UPSTANDING NECK, THECONTAINER SURFACE SURROUNDING SAID NIPPLE OPENING EXTENDING OUTWARDLYFROM THE BASE OF SAID NECK AND HAVING A GENERALLY SPHERCAL CONFIGURATIONWITH A LOCKING RIB FORMED THEREIN AT THE BASE OF SAID NECK; A NIPPLERECEIVED IN SAID OPENING; AND A REMOVABLE COVER HAVING A BODY EXTENDINGOVER SAID NIPPLE, AND HAVING A FLANGE OF GENERALLY SPHERICALCONFIGURATION WHICH CONFORMS WITH THE SURFACE OF THE CONTAINER OVERLYINGTHE SURFACE ADJACENT SAID NIPPLE, SAID REMOVABLE COVER HAVING ANINDENTED RIB FORMED THEREIN ADJACENT THE JUNCTURE OF SAID FLANGE ANDBODY, SAID INDENTED RIB ENGAGING THE LOCKING RIB ON THE CONTAINER BODY,FORMING A SEAL BETWEEN THE COVER AND THE CONTAINER.